Pump-assisted enteral nutrition can prevent aspiration in bedridden percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy patients.

Background: Vomiting, aspiration, and pneumonia are serious side effects in enteral feeding via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), which often leads to hospitalization. To this day, it has not been proven whether pump-assisted (PA) or gravity-controlled application is the safer method for long-term feeding via PEG in bedridden patients.

Methods: This study was conducted as a prospective, randomized crossover study. Fifty bedridden PEG patients were fed using the pump-assisted method (G1) and 50 patients were fed using the gravity-controlled feeding method (G2). After 6 weeks of observation (O1), the feeding methods in both groups were switched, followed by another 6 weeks of observation (O2). Daily recording was done using a standardized questionnaire. The glucose levels during O1 and O2 were determined on days 1, 21, and 42.

Results: The patients in both groups were compatible in age, sex, and medical illness. By comparing G1 and G2, a significantly lower regurgitation rate (p < .0002), vomiting of feeding substrate (p < .009), aspiration (p < .01), and pneumonia (p < .02) was observed. The diarrhea rate in G2 was higher than in G1 (p < .007). The glucose profiles in G1 showed a significantly better development (p < .0007) than the ones in G2. After switching the application method in G2, the PA group (now G2) showed a significantly improved rate of regurgitation, vomiting, aspiration, and diarrhea and improved glucose profiles.

Conclusion: Feeding via PA shows improved safety, which is documented in a lower rate of diarrhea, regurgitation, vomiting, and aspiration. PA also noted a more effective glucose metabolization, which results in better glucose levels. As a result of this prospective study, pump-assisted feeding is recommended for bedridden patients requiring long-term feeding via PEG.